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Philippine lawmaker wants the dead to stop voting

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-15 13:41

MANILA, Philippines -- A Philippine lawmaker frustrated by rampant electoral fraud has proposed legislation to get the names of the dead off voter rolls.

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Rep. Maria Victoria Sy-Alvarado said Monday she wants to make it mandatory for doctors and family members to report deaths to the civil registrar, which has to give the information to the Election Commission so it can update its voter lists.

The bill must go through a long legislative process before becoming law. If enacted, government officials or employees would face up to 10 years imprisonment and be disqualified from public office.

In past elections, family members have reported finding the names of dead relatives on the lists. In some cases, someone has voted using their names.